Multi-Manager Monitoring Process

Northern Trust's investment professionals play a pivotal role in coordinating the activities of our front office, back office and research functions, bringing the full resources of our organization to bear on the task of investment supervision. Monitoring is performed by all departments as follows.

Trading Activity MonitoringThe transactions in most manager accounts, for example, are reviewed by our investment staff on a daily, ex-post basis. Trading activity provides valuable insight on manager decision making and strategic direction. Any unusual positions can be investigated immediately. In addition, the research team can use daily price data feeds to review estimated portfolio returns at any time.

Comparative Performance AnalysisThe research staff updates our performance and portfolio databases each month, and compares analysis of this new data against our original quantitative assessment of each manager. In addition to these techniques, we also use a combination of proprietary and commercial tools to perform attribution, style benchmarking and tracking risk analysis on the most current live performance data. Again, the purpose of this analysis is to measure consistency in risk-taking, and to raise questions for discussion.

Regular Communications With Our ManagersThe investment team maintains regular communications with our managers. Portfolios are reviewed at least quarterly, but more frequent conversations are common and can even occur daily during fast-moving markets. In many cases, we can provide valuable feedback to our managers based on our market intelligence and experience. Among other things, reviews typically include discussion of market views, strategy, research direction and likely future trades, all of which can be discussed in hindsight in future conversations.

Investment Committee Peer ReviewOur investment committee reviews performance, risk analysis, investment policy, strategy and client activity. Committee approval is required for any fundamental product or process changes. This body is in turn answerable to a master investment committee responsible for all Northern Trust Asset Management multi-manager business. The master committee provides peer review, assuring that all decisions are consistent with program objectives, client interests and the standards of the firm.

Margret Duvall

Margret Duvall

Senior Solutions Strategist

Margret Duvall, Senior Vice President at Northern Trust, leads the product management team responsible for Northern Trust’s Multi-Manager Solutions business in both personal and institutional markets. Margret oversees the development, evaluation and maintenance of total outsourcing programs, alternative investments, including hedge fund of funds and private equity fund of funds, as well as emerging manager programs.

Margret served as the President of the NT Alpha Strategies Fund and the NT Hedged Equity Fund, both a diversified closed-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). Margret joined Northern Trust in 2004 as a product manager. Before joining Northern Trust, she was employed by Harris Associates as a portfolio associate.

Margret received her MBA at Northwestern University and her B.A. in English from Oberlin College. She is FINRA Series 7 and 63 licensed.

Northern Trust Corporation. Head Office: 50 South LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603 U.S.A. Incorporated with limited liability in the U.S. Products and services provided by subsidiaries of Northern Trust Corporation may vary in different markets and are offered in accordance with local regulation. For more information, read our legal and regulatory information about individual market offices.